QLD: Star witness cleared of contempt then swears on Buddha

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
QLD: Star witness cleared of contempt then swears on Buddha

BRISBANE, Dec 4 AAP - Key witness Lee Bermingham and the ABC have escaped contempt
charges over a radio interview aired last week at the Queensland electoral rorts inquiry.

The former Labor state organiser has taken the stand at the Shepherdson Inquiry today
to start his highly anticipated testimony into alleged rorting within the party.

Mr Bermingham, who claimed blanket privilege to avoid prosecution over his testimony,
swore an oath on Buddha before starting his evidence.

Before his evidence hearing began, inquiry chairman Tom Shepherdson cleared Bermingham
of a contempt threat made by lawyers for Queensland Labor MP Mike Kaiser.

He had been facing the charges along with ABC journalist Wayne Sanderson over an interview
last Friday.

Mr Bermingham had labelled as "ridiculous" earlier denials by Mr Kaiser that he was
unaware of branch stacking when in the role of Labor secretary.

Mr Bermingham today claimed he was unaware he was going to be asked about Mr Kaiser's
evidence in the interview.

"I was taken a bit by surprise and answered it probably foolishly," he said today.

AAP ap/sc/mjm/br

KEYWORD: STACKING INQUIRY (CARRIED EARLIER)

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